Sweet Surprise Dress

Rent this dainty Anna Sui velvet bodice with lace skirt dress for your holiday party, birthday, or romantic date night out. Tights are a great addition for the colder days of the year. Add a great statement necklace like the RJ Graziano's Dress Me Up Necklace.

I was stopped several times during the evening with people complimenting me on my dress! It looks great but the zipper was tough to get zipped - had to go to a neighbors house to do so!

Jenn

Overall fit:

Large

Height: 5' 4"

Age: 45

Body type: Hourglass

October 6, 2011

This was my second choice dress, and I ended up wearing it to a formal wedding and I loved it. It does run a size larger than true to size. The top is a little big so those with narrow shoulders should size down. I thought the dress was elegant and comfortable to wear. I should be a size 10 according to the chart, but the 6 fit me though I ended up wearing the 8 because I felt the 6 was too snug. The 8 had room to spare and I could zip it up myself where as the 6 I had to have someone help with the zipper. I would recommend this dress.

Pink lotus

Overall fit:

Large

Height: 5' 3"

Age: 38

Body type: Hourglass

October 11, 2011

I wish there were more reviews prior to my rental so I knew it was larger than true to siz e. In general it is a comfortable dress and pretty, but nothing spectacular. Its light and easy to pack.

Heather

Top Contributor

Overall fit:

Large

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 7"

Age: 33

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Pear

October 26, 2011

Loved this dress! It does run a little on the big side (Im normally between a 4 and 6, and wore the 4 very comfortably), but it's pretty short if you're on the taller side. I paired it with a white blazer, tights and ankle boots and it was great for a night out, but I definitely wouldnt have worn it in front of my boss at a holiday party!

Acmes

Top Contributor

Overall fit:

Large

Usually wears: 8

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 59

Bust size: 36B

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 130lbs

October 26, 2011

Looks great on the hanger--but not so much on me. The skirt was too snug and the top too loose. It felt like the velvet top should have had a bit of lycra in it. It also seemed as if should have had some kind of belting--looked like it was missing something.

Bailey

Top Contributor

Size worn:

None

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 29

Bust size: 32D

Body type: Pear

Weight: 140lbs

October 27, 2011

Too big to wear

This dress was much larger than I expected. I rented a 0 and a 2 thinking that the 2 would fit, and considering getting a 4 as a backup size instead. I went with the 0 and it was looser in the top than I wanted by a lot. I might wear it to a date tonight, just because I have it, but it is definitely not making it to my event with me. It was also much higher cut in front than I thought it would be. I am pretty busty--32C and usually get a fair amount of cleavage in most dresses, but nothing in this one. Would recommend for someone in their 40s or someone younger to a family or work event, but not for a socialite going to a cocktail party.

Kate

Size worn:

8

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 8

Height: 5' 10"

Age: 35

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Athletic

December 7, 2011

A Bit Large on Top

I loved this dress and it looked great, but the top was much bigger than expected. It would be good for large chested women. The dress fell just above the knee and then length felt very comfortable.

Deeds

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 32

Bust size: 32B

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 115lbs

December 19, 2011

Cute but certain angles frumpy

I liked this dress and even took into accounts other peoples reviews but it ran VERY large. I wore it to my work christmas party, so I loved that it was elegant and not too revealing. Also, I noticed that in certain angles the dress made me look slightly frumpy, while at other times I looked normal. Didn't like that too much.

Deeds

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 32

Bust size: 32B

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 115lbs

December 19, 2011

Cute but certain angles frumpy

I liked this dress and even took into accounts other peoples reviews but it ran VERY large. I wore it to my work christmas party, so I loved that it was elegant and not too revealing. Also, I noticed that in certain angles the dress made me look slightly frumpy, while at other times I looked normal. Didn't like that too much.

Sarah

Top Contributor

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 1"

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 125lbs

August 28, 2012

This dress was perfect for the 1920s themed wedding I attended at a 1917 California mansion!

I rented this dress for a 1920s themed wedding. I asked the RTR stylists for a recommendation, was given several and settled on this dress. I was pleased with it! I usually wear a 6 but based on the other reviews I ordered a 4 and a 2. I am glad I did that - the 4 was still big in the bust area/straps too long. The 2 fit better - a little snugger in the hips and butt area but fit up top much better. I am petite - 5'1" and I thought this dress looked fine on me. I also got the necklace in the picture which I liked. Overall I was extremely happy with my RTR experience - helpful stylists (they even recommended the red lip I did), very nice selection, everything on time and easy. This was my first time and I will be renting again!!

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Becky

Top Contributor

Size worn:

4

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 3"

Age: 34

Bust size: 32D

Body type: Hourglass

September 25, 2011

Great fitting dress!

This dress ran a little big. I am normally a size 4 and wore the size 2 which fit perfectly. Top runs big, so I recommend it for larger chests.

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Odessa

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 1"

Age: 35

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Pear

Weight: 115lbs

October 10, 2012

Ginormous

I had a size 4 and size 2 and both were huge on me and im normally a size 4.

Jtotheess

Size worn:

0

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 2

Height: 5' 3"

Age: 32

Bust size: 32D

Body type: Petite

Weight: 110lbs

October 15, 2012

The picture of me with friends in front of the church. There were pumpkins everywhere! Very 'fall!'

I wore this dress to a wedding in October with black patent leather pumps and strands of pearls (similar to what the model wears but they were longer and fewer strands). Anyway, I received many compliments on the dress and the velvet top made it appropriate for the black tie wedding. I belted it with a skinny black patent leather belt because even the zero was a bit roomy. It definitely runs large, so I recommend sizing down one or two if you're considering renting this. Other than that, it's a winner.

Jenn

Top Contributor

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 9"

Age: 37

Bust size: 32D

Body type: Apple

October 18, 2012

I bumped into an old college friend while wearing this dress - a great moment I will remember.

This dress is so easy to wear and extremely flattering. The top is roomy enough for a larger chest and is extremely flattering. The cut creates the illusion of a narrower waist and I thought the length of the dress was great for a taller girl who wants to show off some leg!

View photos (1)

Mariel

Top Contributor

Size worn:

0

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 1"

Age: 32

Bust size: 34D

Body type: Hourglass

October 29, 2012

Very flattering

This dress was great. It also had a wonderful fit that is very flattering. The top is a little big, and I have a large bust. While I was dancing the straps kept falling down. I would recommend this dress, it's a perfect dress for this season. I got so many compliments.

Samantha

Top Contributor

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 5"

Age: 31

Bust size: 34D

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 124lbs

November 2, 2012

It wasn't my first pic but it was a great back up!

It was very comfortable and a safe pick for a fall/winter wedding. The straps were a bit too long though.

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Lace

Top Contributor

Size worn:

0

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Formal Affair

Usually wears: 2

Height: 5' 4"

Age: 36

Bust size: 36B

Body type: Petite

Weight: 121lbs

December 20, 2012

I wore this to the company holiday party - which tends to be conservative - and it fit in perfectly

This dress is perfect, especially for an event that could be casual, or formal. I paired the dress with high black heels, pearls, and a simple updo and it looked gorgeous. The dress runs large, especially if you are petite and have a small bust. The 0 size had some extra room all over (and I wore my most padded bra and spanx) too. The contrast between the velvet top and tiered lace bottom was really flattering - it disguised any bumps. The straps were also a bit loose - I could tell my bra straps were showing sometimes. Anyway it's a lovely dress, classy, and perfect for the party, but I wouldn't rent it again.

Whitfield

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 9"

Age: 29

Bust size: 34B

Body type: Pear

Weight: 140lbs

January 26, 2013

Pretty dress- bad fit

The dress was ill fitting. The lining was much much too long for the lace. Runs large up top.

Rebecca

Top Contributor

Size worn:

0

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Other

Usually wears: 0

Height: 5' 5"

Age: 26

Body type: Hourglass

February 6, 2013

The fact that it was new years!

It fit great and was very comfortable- the only thing is that the lace tends to rise up and expose the gold silk slip underneath, so the hem looks uneven.

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Lauren

Size worn:

8

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Formal Affair

Usually wears: 12

Height: 5' 10"

Age: 33

Bust size: 36D

Body type: Pear

March 13, 2013

The neckline and design were appropriately conservative for a semi-formal work function.

I thought this dress was lovely but wasn't actually able to wear it. Overall, the dress was very conservative but the length was much too short for a tall girl like me. I was disappointed that I needed to return it but would recommend it for someone 5'6" or shorter looking for a modest (but pretty) party frock.

Wanda

Top Contributor

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 8"

Age: 35

Bust size: 34D

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 148lbs

March 16, 2013

Helped me survive a 1920s theme wedding.

The dress is ok. It served its purpose of blending in among the flapper dresses around me without making me feel like I was at customs party. I typically wear a 4, but the underline keep moving up weirdly, therefore I opted for the larger version.
Not bad, I think it looks nice but would not buy it or rent it again.

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Corinne

Size worn:

2

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Formal Affair

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 9"

Age: 27

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Athletic

Weight: 130lbs

May 16, 2013

This was for The Washington Ballet's "Hemingway in paris" gala and the dress fit the theme perfectly

Fit great in all the right places!

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Mary

Top Contributor

Size worn:

4

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 32

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 130lbs

January 2, 2014

Perfect dress for the occasion! Loved the fit and got so many compliments!

This was my first Rent the Runway experience and I look forward to having another! I wore this dress for a Roaring 20's party on New Years Eve. I rented both the dress and necklace shown in the picture and it was perfect for the occasion. It made finding my outfit a breeze!

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Meg

Size worn:

4

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Formal Affair

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 59

Body type: Athletic

Weight: 117lbs

January 31, 2014

The dress paired perfectly with my light leather jacket.

It was a little larger than a standard size 4, mostly in the top.

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RTR Customer

Top Contributor

Size worn:

8

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Wedding

September 28, 2014

How easy it was!

The dress was nice and worked, but it didn't make me feel like a superstar. Loved the lace and the velour on the top, but the actual fit was just a little awkward. I normally wear a 10 in dresses, but I wore the 8. The top was sort of baggy because the shoulders were too big, but then the skirt felt a tad snug. It wasn't noticeable to other people, but it made sitting a little uncomfortable. I also rented the necklace the model is wearing (Loved!) and that helped hide the bagginess of the top. Overall though, I really enjoyed my RTR experience and am even renting again for an event next weekend!

View photos (1)

Dbw

Size worn:

0

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 0

Height: 5' 3"

Age: 52

Bust size: 32D+

Body type: Hourglass

December 9, 2014

Perfect, festive dress. Looks way better on than on the hanger!

Fit was great--wore a zero and it fit totally comfortably but was very flattering. However, the dress is beginning to wear. The lace is pilling and hem coming undone. Also slip shows at bottom which isn't clear on the RTR photos. It looks really cute. Wore it to an office party and also a cocktail party.

Angela

Top Contributor

Size worn:

None

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 12

Height: 5' 8"

Age: 30

Bust size: 36D

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 180lbs

January 12, 2015

Pretty Dress But Didn't Fit Right

Let me start off by saying that this dress is pretty. The velour and lace give a nice wintry-feel. But it's nothing spectacular. The fit wasn't that great either. It was pretty short on me (finger-tip length). I'm tall (5'8"), but not as tall as the model. Also, the dress fit in the bust and waist, but not the hips. In all fairness though, I'm not a "true" hourglass shape. My hip-area is the largest part of me. Also, the skirt material isn't stretchy. I rented a back-up dress that fit well, so it was no big deal.

Jenna

Top Contributor

Size worn:

4

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 6

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 31

Bust size: 36B

Body type: Pear

October 7, 2013

Loved this dress, perfect for a wedding in late September!

I loved this dress! When it first arrived, my usual size (6) fit a little weird, and I was preparing to contact customer service for a last minute backup. But I tried the 4 just in case, and it fit perfectly. I'm not sure if the dress runs large, or if it's because I've been working out a lot. It is a snug dress, and my dancing was a little restricted, but it was a wedding, after all! I received lots of compliments, especially on the velvet.

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Nancy

Top Contributor

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Formal Affair

Usually wears: 8

Height: 5' 5"

Age: 43

Bust size: 36B

Body type: Apple

Weight: 130lbs

November 20, 2015

I got this for an organization's annual dinner with a Roaring 20's theme. It was perfect!

I normally wear an 8 but the top was too large and the dress straps kept falling off. Even the 6 was still a bit too wide at the top. The straps still fell but I wore it anyway. The slip does show a little and it could be that the fabric shrunk so that didn't look very nice. The top is black velvet- very nice for a fall/winter dress. Skirt length is short but it was acceptable for the occasion. The bad part about the dress was that if you have any belly at all, it will show. So girdle up...or wear control tights.

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Michele

Top Contributor

Size worn:

0

Rented for:

Wedding

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 4"

Age: 30

Bust size: 34C

Body type: Hourglass

Weight: 127lbs

December 25, 2015

Comfortable dress perfect for a winter wedding.

I'm normally a 2 or 4 in dresses but read reviews that this ran large so I ordered a 2 and a 0. To be honest, there wasn't much difference between the two sizes and I initially decided to wear the larger because it allowed more room in the hips which I figured would be good for dancing at a wedding. Between the ceremony and reception I ended up changing into the 0 because the dress stretched out a little as I wore it. It was very comfortable and surprisingly warm and I received many compliments. It wasn't my favorite RTR dress but definitely a solid choice and I would probably rent it again. To those considering ordering- I really recommend sizing down. The bottom half will give a little after about an hour of wear but the top runs large and you'll want those smaller straps on the smaller size.

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Gusdk

Top Contributor

Size worn:

4

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 4

Height: 5' 6"

Age: 42

Bust size: 34A

Body type: Pear

February 15, 2016

Nice comfortable dress

Nice comfortable dress to dress up and dress down. True to size.

Liz

Overall fit:

Large

Usually wears: 2

Height: 5' 3"

Age: 37

Body type: Petite

October 4, 2011

I agree with the other review, this dress runs a little big. I usually fit between a 2 & 4, and I almost wish I had tried out a 0. however, it did give me a little wiggle room, and other than that, I really loved it - I got many compliments on it at the wedding I wore it to, and am thinking of buying it.

Rebecca

Top Contributor

Size worn:

None

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 2

Height: 5' 2"

Age: 32

Bust size: 32B

Body type: Petite

Weight: 115lbs

March 29, 2013

This dress runs quite big so I didnt end up wearing it!

The top is very big and slouchy and the bottom is tight. Not one I would suggest.

Emily

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Usually wears: 8

Height: 5' 9"

Age: 32

Body type: Hourglass

April 4, 2015

The dress was perfect for a Prohibition party!

The dress runs large in general, with the top half being somewhat roomier than the bottom. Very comfortable, though, and a cute, easy solution for a theme party or Halloween.

RTR Customer

Size worn:

6

Overall fit:

True to Size

Rented for:

Party

Age: 34

December 22, 2015

It was fun to have a nice outfit sent to me to wear to the holiday party.

Overall the dress fit pretty well. As everyone else has stated, the straps definitely fall down. The top is a little looser than that bottom half of the dress. The lace fringe was not properly pressed in the front so the slip showed through.

RTR Customer

Size worn:

4

Overall fit:

Large

Rented for:

Party

Age: 28

January 3, 2016

Pretty but loose at the bust.

I can't really wear it so I ended up returning it. The bust was too loose for me, even I tried to wear a very padded bra underneath it but that didn't solve the problem either. Should have gone size down.